CURE Show Pendant

Custom Letter Pendant for Kola Hari

We've know each other for years, I've gotten tattooed by him quite a few times now. And when he asked for jewellery, the only response was, yes of course, want to trade?

This isn't the 1st Cure pendant I've made for Kola. I've made him a cure 'C' symbol in the past. This time we Kola wanted 'Show' in the font from Cure's Show Tour. I knew it would be difficult, I love a challenge, I said yes, of course, let's make it.

Kola sent me a bunch of reference as he was deciding what to go for.

We talked about the bird graphic and the word 'wish'.

Once decided on 'Show' I was relieved that Kola wanted it big (easier to carve).

Looking at Kola's collection of pendants around his neck, large was the only way to go, lest it get swamped by his collection.

Wax Carving

The wax broke quite early on in the carving stage. I left it in two bits and worked on them simultaneously. It helped a lot to be able to shape the inner part of the 'O'. Luckily with wax you can rejoin it seamlessly. The trick is to melt the join all the way through.

Here's how the wax carving process went:

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/08f10a_17e1569e52ac40e4977c193d5c3a66e7/720p/mp4/file.mp4

Cleaning up the silver casting

I left a bit of the cleaning up to do in the silver form. There's only so much work you want to do in wax; you can risk it breaking (again). It does feel good to get the silver casting back, all tactile and strong.

Above we have the pendant fresh out of the casters, looking white and unworked.

The middle photo is mid process, part polished and about to get its hoop soldered on (and jump ring added). Lastly the pendant finished with the highest mirror shine.

I will never tire of seeing the piece come to life at the very end. It's all just working the surface with progressively finer tools, until... voila

See how below:

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/08f10a_a247ae80bf8146f0b5e7e5142c26de3e/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Meeting Kola

And this has to be the best bit. Working on something custom, a one off, someone's vision brought to life and then delivering it to them. It's bizarre that I still feel nervous dropping things off. Will they like it? Did I get it right?

Kola was really happy. It made my day.

The tattoo I got from Kola is super beautiful, peonies on my thigh. I have lots of floral work from Kola on my legs. I will get more! He's based at The Circle Tattoo Studio on Noel Street in Soho London, and I highly recommend.

I'll be back to add healed photos soon.

Thanks for reading :)